Birth; then after a few moments a close shave in the claws of death and yet again a Rebirth....
-And, Today I complete 19 years in exile from my homeland. I was born on the 13th day of April, back in 1989 in Rainawari in Srinagar [also known as the Venice of Kashmir]. A few months old in this world, I was forced to leave my land,at the gunpoint and fear of death. First Jammu and later New Delhi became the places I grew in,and received my primary education. My father, a political activist and a known bookseller in the valley, had to struggle to make ends meet. The scorching heat of Delhi was not the only adversity to be swallowed. Infact, it was the uncertainty of our future . His ill health during the time of these hardships only made matters worse, Yet, I managed to witness within him, a strong resolve to fight back.
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Bullets continued to shudder in the valley and so did its innocent victims. As concrete lifeless structures came crashing down; the places of worship were not spared either. Devastation and destruction had reached its peak.
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Jammu, to be precise, became a new ground zero with thousands of Pandits migrating and the Indian Government settling them in temporary camps. These camps still exist; only the asbestos sheets are a new addition making life worse then death. The poor inmates in these camps are moving on with life as it is; and the wrath of time continues to increase their suffering.
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After these innumerable years, I still find it tough to think what lies ahead. I long for my homeland; I know. But, what lies ahead is a complicated mystery. It was just a passing thought, that resulted in this nostalgic post.
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The pain and sickness of homelessness continues to throttle my mind. The life of a displaced continues into years unending; but my resolve to return to my lost childhood is alive.
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I'm afraid if my valley would be the same ever again…
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Would someone please get me my homeland, on my birthday .....?
